New Report Says 88 percent of Nova Scotians Are Concerned About Access to Health Care but Pharmacists Can Help

Dartmouth, NS – A survey of Nova Scotians conducted by Abacus Data last week has found that 77 per cent of the province’s residents say they are extremely concerned or very concerned about accessing health today and 88 percent are concerned about accessing health care in the future.

The same survey found that 87 percent of Nova Scotians either strongly agree or agree that the government should improve access to health care by making pharmacist health care services available in all pharmacies.

With online voting it is now simpler to cast your vote for our 2016 Board of Directors election. Simply Voting is a highly reputable system that ensures tamper proof balloting and security of voter information. Your vote will be completely confidential.

Pharmacist Kelly MacIsaac and pharmacy technician Karen Leyte’s partnership has existed for more than 20 years. The pair started working together at the Nova Scotia Hospital and the partnership continued at the Dartmouth General Hospital three years ago when the pharmacy department was closed at the Nova Scotia Hospital.

One of the main programs they work together on is the Provincial Clozapine Program. To fully understand the importance of Kelly and Karen’s partnership, a brief background of Clozapine is required.

Pharmacist and Pharmacy Professor Natalie Kennie-Kaulbach's first job as a pharmacist was on a Family Medicine Team at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. This was after the Nova Scotia native completed her pharmacy degree at Dalhousie University and a Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto.

Hospital pharmacist Steve Allen works in two areas. He’s the clinical pharmacist for cardiology in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and he works with the Hematology Department covering the Warfarin Clinic.

The CCU cares for patients with heart failure, rhythm problems, and patients who have had a heart attack. Steve "rounds" with the medical team, provides advice on appropriate drug therapy and dosage, helps to identify potential drug-related problems, and ensures patients can afford their medications after they leave the hospital.